Economy up moderately in July and August
Some U.S. companies are feeling growing pressure to raise wages as unemployment falls and workers become harder to find, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday, a potential sign of a long-awaited pickup in Americans’ pay. More from the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
BP seeks restitution of some Gulf oil spill claims
BP is going back to a federal appeals court in a case involving businesses' damage claims from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil giant wants restitution of some of the money it paid in claims to businesses as part of a 2012 settlement. [Source: AP]
Medical marijuana measure to be reviewed by Florida Supreme Court
According to the group United for Care, a petition to get the issue on the ballot reached a required amount of signatures for a supreme court review. However, to get the amendment on the 2016 ballot, the group will still need more than 609,000 signatures. Read more from WKMG, the Times/Herald, and the Orlando Business Journal.
Florida senator calls for corporate political disclosure
Sen. Bill Nelson is backing plans to force public companies to say how much they spend on political campaigns. Disclosure would bring “much needed accountability to shareholders and transparency to corporate political spending,” according to a letter from Nelson. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Florida drivers spend least in the U.S. on gas
Florida drivers spend on average $563 on gas per year, while shelling out $1,138 per year on insurance. The national average for gas expenditures is $939 per year. On average, drivers pay $911 in insurance annually. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
› Duke Energy rates will drop in Florida but are doomed to rise again
If Duke gets final approval of all its proposed rate trims, then Duke customers in Florida will be paying $4.18 per month less for using 1,000 kilowatt hours in 2016.
» See also: FPL proposes cutting power bills by 2 to 6 percent for business customers
› South Florida retail market recognized as state's 'most active'
Population growth, a boom in tourism and a recovering housing market are driving retail growth in South Florida, industry players said following a conference focusing on statewide retail development.
› The business secrets of the largest Hardee's franchisee in Florida
Jack Kemp may have gone to Harvard Business School, but he believes he learned his biggest business lessons prior to grad school. As a young lieutenant in the Army, Kemp learned and lived by the motto "make it happen." Today, he is the largest Hardee's franchisee in Florida.
› Green turtle nest count breaks record
University of Central Florida researchers say the endangered green turtle population is making a comeback on one of the nation's most important nesting beaches for turtles.
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› Work Wanted: Young people discovering real work
Labor Day marks the end of summer, and some young workers achieved a milestone over the past few months by starting their first real jobs.
› Tupperware stock jumps on positive sales forecast
Tupperware said it is tracking toward the high end of its sales outlook, excluding foreign currency swings. In July, it said it expected a boost of 4 percent to 6 percent if exchange rates were not included.
› All-Aboard Florida gets final downtown Miami land
All Aboard Florida has closed on the final land it needs to redevelop six blocks of downtown, as nearly 100 workers continue to forge the foundation of a new train station that will bring passenger rail to Miami’s urban core.
› Emirates' first OIA flight draws water salute
The first Emirates flight landed in Orlando on Tuesday, making a new connection between Florida and Dubai. A water salute welcomed the Airbus A380 — the first of its kind scheduled to land at Orlando International Airport.